The Best Practice Principles

Weight stigma is pervasive in maternity care, leading to shame and discrimination and is strongly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including poorer long-term maternal and child health and intergenerational perpetuation of stigma.

To address weight stigma in maternity care, the RADIANT project is co-producing Best Practice Principles for Weight Inclusive Maternity care. We used nation-wide consensus building approach to work with women, clinicians and policy makers to agree on these Best Practice Principles.

We heard from women with lived experience of weight stigma in maternity care and maternity care professionals who practice a weight inclusive approach. We combined findings from those studies, with evidence from anti-stigma programs and other studies to create a list of possible Best Practice Principles. Then we took several steps to co-create nationally agreed Best Practice Principles for Weight Inclusive Maternity Care:

• HARVESTING SURVEY – COMPLETED IN 2024: The first survey asked for feedback on the Best Practice Principles that we’d already thought of, as well as ideas for additional principles. We're using the results of the Harvest Survey to refine the possible Best Practice Principles and develop a shortlist.
• RANKING SURVEY – COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 2025: The second survey asked people to prioritise the shortlisted Best Practice Principles for Weight Inclusive Maternity Care.
• CONSENSUS WORKSHOP – HELD IN MARCH 2025 IN BRISBANE: We brought together 57 people with lived experience, consumer representatives, maternity care providers and other stakeholders to participate in consensus building activities and agree on the Best Practice Principles for Weight Inclusive Maternity Care. 

We're now working on the final report from the RADIANT study - stay tuned for the official launch of the RADIANT Best Practice PRinciples for Weight Inclusive Maternity Care! 

Can I hear about the results of this research?
Yes, we will share reports and publications on this website. If you would like us to email you when these are available, please register on this website.

Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?

This study follows ethical guidelines from The University of Queensland and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. You can talk about this study with the lead researcher (Ph: 07 3346 5106; Email: r.jenkinson@uq.edu.au). If you would like to talk to someone at the University who is not involved in the study, please contact the Ethics Coordinator on +617 3365 3924 / +617 3443 1656 or email humanethics@research.uq.edu.au

This research Ethics ID number is 2023/HE002433